Halimeda Experience

[dabgood21]

AKA the money plant. I've heard mixed reviews about this plant I'm considering adding to my reef. I've heard they can suck up the Calcium, release CO2, and possibly reproduce by releasing spores that will cloud the water making it green and create other problems. Any advice/experience with this plant? I assume it's not really a refugium/sump algae but more decorative for the display tank/reef?

Thanks

 

[marrone]

I've had it in my tank for years, until recently when I remove it all. I've never seen it release spores or make the water cloudy. It usually grows from the plant itself and it does put down roots, which can make it a little hard to remove. It does use up calcium, which is why I removed it from my tank. When you take it out of the water it does smell pretty bad, so you either want to get rid of it or place it in a ziplock bag.

 

[Dre]

I've had it in my tank for years, until recently when I remove it all. I've never seen it release spores or make the water cloudy. It usually grows from the plant itself and it does put down roots, which can make it a little hard to remove. It does use up calcium, which is why I removed it from my tank. When you take it out of the water it does smell pretty bad, so you either want to get rid of it or place it in a ziplock bag.

+2 It grows from the plant itself or from the root structure through sand or rock .Some grow very fast and yes it use up Calcium.

 

[dabgood21]

Benefits/Positives vs Negatives of having it?

 

[marrone]

It's a nice looking thing in the tank, and unlike other algae, it doesn't grow like crazy or over things. It does use a lot of calcium, which can be a problem in a small tank or a larger tank that doesn't have a calcium reactor.

 

[Dre]

50/50 It will help to reduce nitrates and it looks good in a display tank +2. If it grows too large in the display tank your pH will drop very low when the lights go off or at night and as stated above it use up calcium rapidly -2.

 

[dabgood21]

I'm thinking about putting it in a 40g breeder that has some fairly high Cal. demands w/ no Cal. reactor. I have a plating orange cap monti that's growing like crazy. Maybe it's not such a good idea and I should stick with more basic caulerpa.

 

[marrone]

I would pass on it under those situation.

 

[Dre]

More caution should be taken with Caulerpa species.Try the Halimeda, just add more calcium and cut it occasionally.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Caulerpa does go asexual from my understanding. You have to keep it at a min by pruning it down constantly and by keeping your lights on in the fuge because it goes asexual at lights out. Some good and bad reviews.. but the decision is on you. IMO stick to chaeto.